Written by Muneeb Rana · Last updated 26 October 2026
Quick answer: To convert mph to meters per second, multiply by 0.44704; to go back, multiply m/s by 2.23694. For km/h, divide by 3.6. Your phone's location system reports speed in m/s, so every speedometer app does this conversion. 60 mph is 26.8 m/s; a sprinter at 10 m/s is doing about 22.4 mph.
TL;DR
- m/s = mph × 0.44704 (exact).
- m/s = km/h ÷ 3.6.
- mph = m/s × 2.23694.
- Phones report speed in m/s.
- Table below.
MPH to meters per second formula
A mile is 1,609.344 m and an hour is 3,600 s, so 1 mph = 1,609.344 ÷ 3,600 = 0.44704 m/s exactly. For km/h, 1,000 m ÷ 3,600 s gives 1/3.6, so divide by 3.6.
Why phones use m/s
Apple's Core Location documentation describes a location's speed in metres per second, and Android's location API does the same. Speedometer apps multiply by 2.23694 for mph or 3.6 for km/h before display.
Table
| mph | m/s | km/h |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.45 | 1.6 |
| 3 | 1.34 | 4.8 |
| 5 | 2.24 | 8.0 |
| 10 | 4.47 | 16.1 |
| 20 | 8.94 | 32.2 |
| 30 | 13.41 | 48.3 |
| 50 | 22.35 | 80.5 |
| 60 | 26.82 | 96.6 |
| 70 | 31.29 | 112.7 |
| 100 | 44.70 | 160.9 |
Where m/s is useful
Physics homework, wind speeds in some forecasts, sports science, and calculating stopping distances. Our stopping distance calculator works in m/s internally.
Where m/s is used
Scientists and engineers use metres per second because it is the SI unit of speed. Weather services often give wind speed in m/s in some countries, and sports scientists use it for sprint speeds. A world-class sprinter peaks above 12 m/s, about 27 mph.
Quick mental maths
Halve mph and subtract a tenth of the result for a rough m/s figure: 60 mph → 30 → 27 m/s (exact 26.82). To go back, double m/s and add a tenth: 10 m/s → 20 + 2 = 22 mph (exact 22.37).
Where m/s is used
Metres per second is the SI unit of speed, used in physics, engineering and weather. Wind speeds in many forecasts, and sprint speeds in athletics analysis, are often given in m/s. A world-class sprinter peaks around 12 m/s, about 27 mph.
Related
mph to km/h, knots to mph, speed distance time calculator.
Related: Free speed tools · MPH guide: speed units explained · MPH to KMH converter · Knots to MPH converter · Stopping distance calculator · How GPS speedometers work · Speedometer MPH and KM/H units
Get Speedometer PRO on Google Play · Download on the App Store · Set it up before you move; never handle your phone while driving.
Sources
- CLLocation speed (Apple Developer documentation): developer.apple.com (accessed 26 October 2026)
- Location and sensors (Android Developers): developer.android.com (accessed 26 October 2026)
- Unit conversion (NIST Office of Weights and Measures): nist.gov (accessed 26 October 2026)
- Speed (Wikipedia): en.wikipedia.org (accessed 26 October 2026)
FAQ
How many m/s is 1 mph?
Exactly 0.44704 m/s, from 1,609.344 metres divided by 3,600 seconds.
How do I convert km/h to m/s?
Divide by 3.6. For example, 90 km/h divided by 3.6 is 25 m/s.
What is 10 m/s in mph?
About 22.37 mph, which is roughly the top speed of an elite sprinter.
Why does my phone use m/s?
Location APIs on iOS and Android report speed in SI units, metres per second. Apps then convert the figure for display in mph or km/h.
Is 0.44704 exact?
Yes. Both the mile and the hour are defined exactly, so the factor 0.44704 has no rounding.